While grocery shopping during a global pandemic is necessary, maintaining social distancing inside a supermarket can be a challenge. One Canadian entrepreneur has come up with an intriguing solution: a high-tech farmer’s market on wheels. Rolling out in Toronto neighborhoods in July, “Grocery Neighbour” is fresh produce’s version of the classic ice cream truck.
Though grocery delivery services are popular, customers still enjoy picking and choosing their own fruits and veggies. Frank Sinopoli’s small fleet of mobile farmer’s markets offers a local, homegrown experience without shoppers having to travel far. In the time of Covid-19, this service couldn’t come at a better time. (1)
A High-Tech Grocery Experience
Though grocery delivery apps have seen an upsurge in activity during the pandemic, waiting for an order to arrive can be frustrating. Increased demand means longer delivery times, and stock can be low or unavailable in desired items. Grocery Neighbour, however, will bring a farmer’s market experience straight to the neighborhood.
Customers will be able to sign up for an app that will alert them when a Grocery Neighbour truck is headed to their area. “We’ll have the technology to tell you when it’s pulling up, or to notify you to where the grocery truck is,” Sinopoli told CBC Radio Canada. “It will be like the ice cream truck when it pulls up: it will create that type of experience.” (2)
The 53-foot tractor-trailers will be stocked with everything customers need to fill their fridges and pantries. Fresh local meats, local produce, bread, dry goods, dairy, and other essentials are on the list of available products. Though the service hasn’t rolled out officially, people can “vote” for a truck to be sent to their neighborhood. While just 3 trucks are currently planned for the Toronto area, Sinopoli eventually hopes to have hundreds. (1)
The New Normal For Farmer’s Markets
With experts predicting that Covid-19 could be around for quite a while, social distancing may be the new normal. If so, Grocery Neighbour’s layout is well-suited to keep customers safe. The long truck’s design features one lane and one shopping route. Customers will enter through the truck’s back, pick out their groceries, and exit near the front. This will prevent multiple people from having to pass each other and will allow for physical distance.
The trucks are also designed to help those who have trouble traveling to get groceries. The elderly or those without a car won’t need to rely on public transportation to get their food. Instead, Grocery Neighbour will bring fresh food to the community in a safe, convenient way. “The trucks are dedicated to an area,” explained Sinopoli to Toronto.com, “so they can frequent a neighborhood more than once a week.” While grocery shoppers may have to walk a block or two, the trek will be far easier than traveling to a supermarket.
Sinopoli hopes that his high-tech farmer’s market on wheels will have longterm appeal. “Time will always remain the most precious thing we have,” he says, “and convenience wins most battles. The lockdown inspired us, but it does not limit us.” (2)
